Sunday, December 7, 2008

Christmas Memories

Click here to view today's photo enlarged and on a black background.

The little toy solder Christmas ornament is made from a wooden clothes pin. It is, by far, the oldest ornament on my tree. I was a mere child when I first received it. It decorated a present given to me by my uncle Tony's girlfriend, Carolynn. I think she made it herself, but I could be wrong on that point. No matter. I was just a kid, but I can remember she was very sweet to me and I loved her just as much as I loved Tony. They were going to get married and that would have suited this little boy just fine!

But Tony was tragically killed in a car accident while they were in college. Carolynn picked up her life and went on, eventually to become a wife, mother and, I suspect, a grandmother. I hope her life is filled with joy and love.

This was one of our family's ornaments as I grew up. When I was all grown up with Christmas trees of my own, my mom made sure I got it. It represents my childhood to me. And two people I loved, but who left my life far too soon.

I'm still making Christmas memories. Mindy and I went to a Christmas party at my mom's. We played a matching game where you had to guess which person was responsible for each piece of Christmas trivia. It could be a favorite memory, a favorite present, a Christmas tradition or just a little-known fact. As long as it was Christmas related and wouldn't be common knowledge of the people at the party. Anyway, I thought it might be fun to share some with you.

Here's Mindy's...

"The house I grew up in had no fireplace. Since it's common knowledge that Santa comes down the chimney, we had to build a cardboard fireplace every year to facilitate his entrance. I have no idea where one buys a cardboard fireplace (maybe Sears and Roebuck). But we had one. We hung the stockings on the chimney with care, with a stick pin. The fireplace had red brick, white mortar with a black shelf on top. And we had some orange paper flames with an orange light bulb behind to similate a nice cozy fire."

Sweet, isn't it? Can't you just imagine a sweet little baby-girl Mindy eagerly awaiting Santa next to their cardboard fireplace? Awwww!

Here's my mom's...

"Christmas time is full of wonder for me. It is truly a time of love, joy and sharing. My first memory of our Christmas tree was purchased from a "tree lot" then decorated with lights, cardboard ornaments and lots of tinsel icicles which had to be carefully draped - not thrown - over the limbs. The kids would pick and string up red berries along with freshly popped corn to use as garland."

A simpler time, for sure!

My own was just a bit of trivia that I didn't think many people would know about me. "I prefer my egg nog diluted with skim milk." I love the flaver of egg nog, but it's just so thick, it doesn't seem like a drink. So I mix just a little skim milk in it to thin it down. Oh, and of course, sprinkle with nutmeg!


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

First the photo is beautiful. I love the white tree. The story behind your ornament is so tragic and sad...I'm glad you have the ornament. Mindy's memory of her cardboard fireplace is sweet.

The Texas Woman said...

Thanks for the link to the drawing of you as a child. Very nice, as is the tree photo. Good story too.

The Texas Woman

Mindy said...

What he didn't mention is that I really knew none of these people at the party, but I managed to win the game by matching folks with their memories! Luck or good observation? Hmmmm...Thanks for sharing your Christmas Memories, David. I look forward to making more with you. ~Mindy

trash talk said...

We are all sentimental fools at Christmas and I love it. It's one of the few times when it's ok to laugh and cry at the same time. You know, FYI, you can sometimes find those cardboard fireplaces in antique shops and online. Just a thought.

WhisperWood Cottage said...

David,

Thanks for the kind comment on my blog! I am definitely a fan of your photography! I am always inspired with each new post you have!

Amy

David said...

Thanks for the great idea, Deb! I did indeed find a cardboard fireplace!